MXPA99011485A - Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving a signal - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving a signal. A transmission signal is transmitted from the apparatus at a first intensity level for reception by a receiving device. The apparatus includes a device for receiving a response from the receiving device indicating that the receiving device received the transmission signal. The apparatus further includes a device for re-transmitting the transmission signal at a second intensity level higher than the first intensity level when the response is not received by the apparatus after transmitting the transmission signal at the first intensity level.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING A SIGNAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for bi-directionally transmitting and receiving a signal by means of a radio circuit. Communications by infrared radiation, in which signals are transmitted wirelessly can be used in information management devices, such as personal computers, printers, and other devices, and also in audio devices of a video, such as television receivers. , video tape recorders, and other devices. In communications by infrared radiation, a signal can be modulated by a predetermined process and transmitted from a side or transmission device and such a transmitted signal can be detected and demodulated by a side or receiving device. As an example, a signal can be modulated using a predetermined modulation technique, such as pulse position modulation (PPM) having a carrier frequency in a frequency range between 33 kHz and 40 kHz, and transmitting a transmitter diode. Transmitted infrared radiation light can be detected by a photodiode and demodulated. The power of the emitted infrared radiation can be determined by the intensity of the current flowing through the light emitting diode of infrared radiation which, in turn, can be determined based on the specifications of the respective light emitting diode of radiation infrared A so-called PIN photodiode can be used to detect infrared radiation. The PIN photodiode can detect infrared radiation in a relatively wide detection area and can include a condenser lens mounted on a photodetector to improve sensitivity, so that infrared radiation transmitted over a relatively large distance is detected. In communications between devices that communicate bidirectionally with each other with a radio signal, such as infrared signals, the intensity of the transmitted signals is constant. This arrangement may cause that the transmitted signals are not correctly received and / or that the transmitted signals may be exposed to adverse effects due to differences in shielding, noise disturbances and other elements. Consider, for example, the situation in which a PIN-type photodetector device is comnable to detect an infrared signal transmitted from a transmitter. In such a situation, a current flowing through the photodetector device can be relatively large and is located near the transmitter and can be relatively small if it is located away from the transmitter. In the first case, the transmitted signal can be presided correctly, while in the second case the transmitted signal may not be received correctly.

Accordingly, the provision described above may impose limitations on the use of communication devices.

OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a commandable apparatus and method for bidirectional communications that can control a level of intensity at which the signal is transmitted. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method as indicated above in which the signal can be retransmitted at a higher intensity level when a response is not received on the transmitting side indicating that the previously transmitted signal was received at the transmitting side. receiving side. Another objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method as indicated above, in which the signal can be automatically retransmitted to a higher intensity level when a response is not received on the transmitting side indicating that the signal previously transmitted was received on the receiving side. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a communication apparatus is provided for bidirectionally transmitting and receiving a signal through a radio circuit. The apparatus comprises a transmitting device for transmitting a signal, an excitation device for driving the transmission device to transmit the signal, a control device for controlling the transmitter device and the excitation device, and a device for controlling the intensity of the transmission signal to combine an intensity with the one that said signal is transmitted. Other objects, features and advantages in accordance with the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiments, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the corresponding components are identified by the same reference numerals .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a diagram of a signal transmitting and receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagram of a portion of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagram of resistor values to which reference will be given to explain combined resistor values; Figure 4A is a flow diagram to which reference will be made in explaining the operation of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4B is a modification of the flow diagram of Figure 4A; Figure 5 is a flowchart which will be referenced in explaining another operation of the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 6 illustrates an arrangement of communication devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 illustrates a communication apparatus 1. Such an apparatus 1 may include a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 12, a light emitting diode (LED) 13, an output device 14 of audio, an input device 15, an amplifier 16, a module 1J for transmitting and receiving infrared radiation, an infrared radiation light emitting diode 18, and a photodiode 19 that can be connected as shown in figure 1. As described below, the apparatus 1 allows a communication mode to be carried out which may include completing a preparation procedure until an effective application (referred to herein as an "application mode") such as for trade or entertainment, is started based on communications between a number of portable devices (such as devices 1) that have the ability to communicate bidirectionally with each other using radio signals or imilar The CPU 11 unit can generate and supply control signals to a number of the components of the apparatus 1, in order to control the operation thereof. The CPU unit 11 can perform processing according to a predetermined sequence stored in a memory 9, which can be a read only memory (ROM), which is a memory of non-volatile type or a random access memory (RAM) that it is a volatile type memory. The LCD display 12 may include a liquid crystal panel having a two dimensional display area for displaying characters and images. The LCD display 12 can display such characters and images according to a signal from the CPU 11 unit. The LED 13 can be activated so that it emits light in a flashing or stable state condition, according to a control signal from the CPU unit 11. Additionally, a plurality of LEDs 13 may be arranged in a predetermined configuration so as to present or provide an indication of a signal level or the like. The audio output device 14 can be a speaker, a buzzer or the like to receive an audio signal and to emit corresponding sounds according to a control signal coming from the CPU unit 11.

As explained in more detail below, the communication apparatus 1 can transmit a first signal for reception by a second communication apparatus and the second communication apparatus can transmit a second signal for reception by the first communication apparatus so as to inform to such an apparatus that the second communication device received or did not receive the first signal. In such a situation, the liquid crystal display 12, the light emitting diode 13, and / or the audio output device 14 can provide an indication to an operator as to whether the response has been received or not from the other communication apparatus. The input device 15 may include an adaptive keypad type key to close a circuit when it is depressed. Alternatively, other types of devices can be used, such as a joystick, a mouse, and a keyboard. The input device 15 can be coupled to the CPU unit 11, and can supply a desired or predetermined input to the CPU unit. That is, the input button 11 can supply an input to the CPU unit 11 so as to cause the level of a signal to be transmitted from the apparatus 1 for reception by another device to be increased depending on a response coming from the other device, according to as indicated by the LCD display 12, the LED 13, and / or the audio output device 14. The infrared radiation transmission and reception module 17 may be coupled to the CPU unit 11 and may cause infrared signals to be transmitted and received. That is, the infrared radiation transmission and reception module 1J can receive transmission pulses from the CPU unit 11, modulate them according to a predetermined modulation technique, such as pulse position modulation (PPM), and supply the modulated pulses or the signal to the amplified 16. Additionally, the infrared radiation transmission and reception module 17 can receive a signal coming from the photodiode 19, process the received signal as if shaping the waveform thereof, and demodulating the signal configured, and supply the demodulated signal as reception uses to the CPU unit 11. The amplifier 16 amplifies the modulated signal received from the module 17 of transmission and reception of infrared radiation at a level according to a control signal of the transmission level supplied by the CPU unit 11. The light emitting diode 18 of infrared radiation can emit radiation i infrared according to the amplified received signal from the amplified 16. That is, the infrared radiation emitting diode 18 can be energized by the signal or the current supplied by the amplifier 16 to transmit a modulated signal as infrared radiation having a respective level of intensity. The photodiode 19 can function as a light detecting device for detecting transmitted radiations and for generating a current or signal thereto. The photodiode 19 can be a PIN type photodiode. An output signal from the photodiode 19 can be supplied to the module 17 for transmitting and receiving infrared radiation. The amplifier 16 can operate as a signal transmission intensity controller to increase the level of infrared pulse transmission step by step in response to a command signal from the CPU unit 11. A circuit arrangement of such an amplifier or current controller of signal transmission will now be described with reference to Figure 2. The amplifier or driver 16 of signal transmission intensity can include a number of resistors, a first transistor 21, a second transistor 22, and a third transistor 23. resistor 25, second transistor 22, and third transistor 27 may be coupled to the emitter of first transistor 21 in a parallel arrangement. The base of the first transistor 21 can be coupled to the module 17 for transmitting and receiving infrared radiation by means of the terminal Tx. The first transistor 21 can operate as a common mutation device that can be connected or disconnected depending on the level of a signal supplied from the module 17 through the terminal or port Tx to the base thereof. The infrared radiation light emitting diode 18 can be connected as a load to the collector of the first transistor 21. As a result, the infrared radiation light emitting diode 18 can be energized by a collector current (i) of the first transistor 21. The emitter of the first transistor 21 may be coupled to the resistor 25 having a resistance R and the second transistor 22 and the third transistor 23. The base of the second transistor 22 may be coupled to the CPU 11 unit via the terminal PO. The second transistor 22 can operate as a switching device that can be switched on or off depending on the level of a control signal supplied from the CPU unit 11 via the terminal or port PO to the base thereof. The collector of the second transistor 22 may be coupled to the emitter of the first transistor 21. The emitter of the second transmitter 22 may be coupled to a resistor 26 having a resistance of R 2. The base of the third transistor 23 may be coupled to the CPU unit 11 by means of terminal P1. The third transistor 23 can operate as a switching device that can be switched on or off depending on the level of a control signal supplied from the CPU 11 through the port or terminal P1 to the base thereof. The third transistor collector 23 may be coupled to the emitter of the first transistor 21. The emitter of the third transistor 23 may be coupled to a resistor 27 having a resistance R. In the arrangement described above, the command or control signal supplied from the CPU unit 11 to the amplifier or signal strength controller 16 can have four singular values (ie, 22 = 4, using 2 bits from the output ports PO, P1) so that it allows up to four respective intensity levels to be specified. The intensity of the infrared pulses to be transmitted can be determined by the intensity of the current and which circulates through the infrared radiation light emitting diode 18. The resistor 25 having the resistance R, the resistor 26 having the resistance R / 2, and the resistor 27 having the resistor R may be coupled to each other in a parallel arrangement and may be connected as charge receivers to the emitter of the first transistor 21 to energize the light emitting diode 18 of infrared radiation. The resistors 26 and 27 can respectively be connected and disconnected by the transistor switches 22 and 23. The second transistor 22 and the third transistor 23 can be connected or disconnected (so as to connect or disconnect the resistors 26 and 27) by using the four singular control signals supplied from the CPU 11 unit via the ports PO and P1 The four logical combinations belonging to the control signals supplied to the ports PO and P1, allow the combined resistors of the load resistors to be provided as shown in Fig. 3. That is, when the control signals supplied to the ports PO and P1 produce logical levels LL, LH, HL, HH (where "L" and "H" represent respectively low and high signals), receivers 25, 26, 27 can have combined resistance values of R, R / 2 , R / 3, R / 4, respectively. As a result, when the control signals supplied to ports PO and P1 have logical levels LL, LH, HL, HH, the intensity of the pulses to be transmitted can be increased stepwise, such as x 1 ax 2a x 3a x 4 As indicated above, the communication apparatus 1 is adaptable to bi-directionally communicate with other devices such as another communications apparatus 1. An example of such an arrangement is illustrated in Figure 6. While the arrangement of Figure 6 indicates that a First communications apparatus 1 communicates with only a second communications apparatus 1, the present invention is thus not limited. That is, the present communication apparatus 1 can communicate with any number of other communication devices or devices. Next, the operations that can be performed by the present apparatus in a communications mode will be described. Initially, a manual operation will be described with reference to Figure 4A. In step S11, the CPU unit 11 can be put into a communications mode by using an input device 15, whereby the module 17 for transmitting and receiving infrared radiation can be set to a transmission mode. The processing then proceeds to step S12, in which a determination is made as to whether a keyboard (such as the input device 15) has been depressed or activated to initiate the transmission of a pulse. If such determination is negative, the processing returns to step S12. Yes, however, the 3 determination of step S12 is affirmative, processing proceeds to step S13, in which an infrared pulse can be transmitted at the lowest level in a cycle or a predetermined number of cycles for reception by other communication devices. When a transmission mode is completed, the infrared radiation transmission and reception module 17 and the CPU unit 11 can be put into a reception mode of the step S14 so as to wait for a response from the other communication device. The processing can then proceed to step S15 in which a determination was made as to whether a response from the other communication apparatus has been received and confirmed by using the LCD viewer 12, the LED 13, and / or the device 14 of audio output. If such a determination is affirmative, processing can proceed to step S16 in which the communications mode is changed to an application mode. Next, an application corresponding thereto can be executed in step S17. When such an application is completed, the operation of Figure 4 can be completed. However, if the determination in step S15 is negative, the processing may proceed to step S21 in which an indication may be provided to a user that a response has not been received and find out whether the operation should be continued or completed. . The processing can then proceed to step S20, in which a determination can be made on whether the operation should be completed. If the determination is affirmative (that is, the operation must be completed), the operation is completed. On the other hand, if the determination in step S20 is negative (ie, that the operation should not be terminated), the processing may proceed to step S19 in which a determination can be made on whether a key (such as input device 15) has been pressed or activated to initiate the transmission of another pulse or pulses. If the determination of step S19 is negative, the processing of step S19 is repeated. On the other hand, if the determination of step S19 is affirmative, the processing can proceed to step S18, in which an infrared pulse can be transmitted with a level of intensity that is higher (such as by an increment or step) than the intensity level of the pulse or signal previously transmitted. The processing can then proceed to step S14, so as to wait for a response in the reception mode. Next, a processing similar to that described above with reference to the steps after step S14 may be repeated. In addition, if no response is received and / or a request for completion is not made, then each time the initialization button is pressed in step S19, the level of an infrared pulse can be transmitted repeatedly. After the highest intensity level of an infrared pulse is obtained, the infrared pulse can be repeatedly transmitted at the highest intensity level. Alternatively, the transmission of the infrared pulse can be completed after each pulse is transmitted at the highest level intensity and a response is not received within a predetermined time period of the other communication device. Figure 4B illustrates a modification of the sequences of operations shown in Figure 4. The sequences of operations of Figures 4B includes step S119 in which a determination is made on whether the number of times a pulse has been transmitted (I) greater than a predetermined number N. (As an example, in the above arrangement that has four intensity levels, N can be set to four).

If the determination of step S19 is affirmative, the operation may be terminated. On the other hand, if the determination of step S119 is negative, the processing may proceed to step S120 in which I is increased by one.

Next, the processing can proceed to step S18 in a manner similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 4A.

Additionally, the sequence of Figure 4B may include step S10 in which I is set to 0 before step S11. An automatic operation will now be described with reference to Fig. 5. The automatic sequence operation shown in Fig. 5 is somewhat similar to the manual sequence operation of Fig. 4. Therefore, and for reasons of brevity, only they will describe the differences between them (that is, the stages of the automatic sequence that are similar to those of the manual sequences will not be described again).

Step S38, a time meter can begin to measure the time when the initiation button (such as device 15) is first depressed. In step S35, a determination is made about whether a response is received within a predetermined period of time. If the determination of step S40 is negative, processing can proceed to step S42, in which determination is made on the number of times the pulse has been transmitted and / or retransmitted exceeds a predetermined number N. If such determination of step S42 is affirmative, the operation may be terminated. However, if the determination of step S42 is negative, the processing may proceed to step S39. As a result, the intensity level of a pulse can be increased automatically without manually pressing a push-button or input device. The levels or pulses of intensity to be transmitted in the automatic sequence can be read from a table storing a memory (such as a memory 9). Such a table can contain levels that correspond to present values of half a time that is started when the initiation button is initially pressed. Alternatively, a pulse can be transmitted with an intensity level that is one stage higher than the previous level. Additionally, the sequence of operations of FIG. 5 may include steps similar to steps S10 and S120 of FIG. 4B which may be respectively arranged before step S31 and before step S39 in a manner similar to the previous one described with reference to the sequence of Figure 4B. In addition, while the above-indicated sequences of operations of the present apparatus were described as having certain steps, the present invention is not limited in this way. That is, such operations can be purified. For example, in the sequences of operations of Figure 5, steps S41 and / or S40 can be eliminated. Accordingly, the present invention provides a communications apparatus having a bidirectional radio communication function for initially transmitting a signal at a weak level for reception by another communication apparatus, and in the absence of a response from such other communication device. , to increase the level by stages and repeatedly transmit the signal at increased levels so that an optimal communication citation is obtained at a low or adverse conditions. Although the present invention, according to the above described uses infrared radiation, the present invention is not limited in this way, and can instead use radial waves and other radiations. Therefore, the present invention provides a communications apparatus at a relatively short distance, acceptable communication conditions can be adjusted manually or automatically depending on the environment. Since radio communications may be susceptible to shielding and disturbance noise, it is advantageous to be able to adjust the intensity level of a signal to be transmitted at an optimum level. In addition, by increasing the intensity level in staggered increments, instances in which the intensity level is so large that it will adversely affect the receiving devices other than the desired receiving apparatus can be greatly reduced. Likewise, the magnitude of power that is needed to transmit a signal can be minimized, that the signal can first be transmitted at a weak or relatively low level. While preferred embodiments the present invention and modifications thereof have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and modifications, and that other modifications and variants may be made to those skilled in the art. material without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (33)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. A communication apparatus for bidirectionally transmitting and receiving a signal through a radio circuit, comprising a transmission device for transmitting a signal, an excitation element for driving said transmission device to transmit the signal, a control element to control said transmission device and said excitation element, and a control element of the signal transmission intensity to control an intensity with which the signal is transmitted.

2. A communications device according to the claim 1, wherein said control element controls said signal transmission intensity control element to increase the intensity of a signal transmitted by said transmission device when a response is not received to the signal transmitted by said transmission device.

3. A communications device according to the claim 2, wherein said control element increases the intensity of a stepped signal after the signal is transmitted to a weak level controlled by said signal transmission intensity control element.

4. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a presentation element to present if there is or is not an answer said signal transmitted by said transmission element, and an entry element to enter an entry to said signal transmission intensity control element for increasing the intensity of a signal transmitted by said step transmission device.

5. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal is transmitted and received by means of infrared radiation.

6. A communication method for bidirectionally transmitting and receiving a signal through a radio circuit between a plurality of communication devices, said method comprising the steps: transmitting a signal from one of the communication devices to other communication devices; receiving a response from said other communication device in said communication device; and step-increasing an intensity of a signal transmitted from said communication device to said other communication device, depending on the received result.

7. A communication method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of sitting whether or not there is a response to a signal from said other communication device, and entering an income to increase the intensity of the signal transmitted by stages.

8. A method of communications according to claim 6, wherein the step of increasing includes increasing the intensity of a signal transmitted from said communication device to said other communication device if there is no said response coming from said other communication device. .

9. A communication method according to claim 6, wherein the signals transmitted and received by means of infrared radiation.

An apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals comprising: an element for transmitting a transmission signal to a first intensity level for reception by a receiving device, an element for receiving a response from said receiving device indicating that said receiving device received the transmission signal; and an element for retransmitting the transmission signal at a second intensity level higher than the first intensity level when the response is not received by the receiving element after said transmission element transmitted the transmission signal at a first level of intensity .

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, comprising an element for presenting the response.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the transmission element transmits said transmission signal by means of infrared communication.

13. - An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the receiver element supplies said response to the receiver element by means of infrared communication.

14. A signal transmission and reception apparatus comprising: an element for transmitting a transmission signal to a first intensity level for reception by a receiving device; an element for receiving a response from said receiving device indicating that said receiving device received the transmission signal; and an element for automatically retransmitting the transmission signal to a second level of intensity higher than the first level of intensity when the response is not received by the receiving element after said transmission element transmitted the transmission signal to a first level of intensity.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising an element for presenting the response.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the transmission element transmits said transmission signal by means of infrared communications.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the receiving device supplies said response to the receiving element by means of infrared communications.

18. A signal transmission and reception apparatus comprising: an element for transmitting a transmission signal at an intensity level obtained from among a quantity of N intensity levels for reception by a receiving device; an element for receiving a response from said receiver device indicating that said receiving device received the transmission signal; and an element for retransmitting the transmit signal to another intensity level obtained between the intensity levels that are higher than the intensity levels previously obtained when the response is not received by the receiving element after the transmitting element transmitted the signal to the intensity level obtained previously.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the retransmission element retransmits the transmission signal until the response is received by the receiving element or until the transmission signal has been transmitted N times each time to a intensity level higher than the previous time.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising an element for presenting the response.

21. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the transmission element and the retransmission element transmit the transmission signal by means of infrared communications.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the receiver device supplies said response to the receiver element by means of infrared communications.

23. - A method to transmit and receive a signal, including methods dichps the stages of. transmitting a transmission signal to a first intensity level for reception by a receiving device; receiving a response from said receiving device indicating that said receiving device received the transmission signal; and retransmitting the transmission signal to a second level of intensity higher than the first level of intensity when the response is not received after transmitting the transmission signal to the first level of intensity.

24. A method according to claim 23, further comprising presenting the response.

25. A method according to claim 23, wherein the transmission step transmitting said transmission signal by means of infrared communication.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the receiver device provides said response by means of infrared communication.

27. A method of transmitting and receiving signals comprising the steps of: transmitting a transmission signal to a first intensity level for reception by a receiving device; receiving a response from said receiving device indicating that said receiving device received the transmission signal; and automatically retransmitting the transmission signal at a second level of intensity higher than the first level of intensity when the response is not received after transmitting the transmission signal to the first level of intensity.

28. A method according to claim 27, further comprising presenting the response.

29. A method according to claim 27, wherein the transmission stage transmits said transmission signal by means of infrared communications.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein the receiver device provides said response by means of infrared communication.

31. A method of transmitting and receiving signals comprising the steps of: an element for transmitting a transmission signal at a level of intensity obtained from a number of N intensity levels for reception by a receiving device; an element for receiving a response from said receiver device indicating that said receiving device received the transmission signal; and an element for retransmitting the transmit signal to another intensity level obtained between the intensity levels that are higher than the intensity levels previously obtained when the response is not received by the receiving element after the transmitting element transmitted the signal to the intensity level obtained previously.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein the retransmission step retransmits the transmission signal until the response is received or until the transmission signal has been transmitted N times each time at a further intensity level higher than the previous time.

33. A method according to claim 32, further comprising presenting the response. 34.- A method according to claim 32, wherein the transmission stage and the retransmission stage transmits the transmission signal by means of infrared communication. 35.- A method according to claim 34, wherein the receiving device provides said response by means of infrared communication.